📚 Origin & Publication
Solo Leveling (나 혼자만 레벨업) began as a South Korean web novel written by Chugong, first published on KakaoPage in 2018. The story quickly gained traction for its unique video game-like power scaling and dungeon crawler setting.
🖋️ Author & Illustrator:
- Author: Chugong
- Manhwa Illustrator: DUBU (Jang Sung-Rak), Redice Studio
- Original Run: March 2018 – December 2021
- Chapters: 179 (manhwa)
- Status: Completed
🎨 Manhwa Adaptation
- Published by: D&C Webtoon
- Platform: KakaoPage (Korea), Tappytoon / Tapas (English)
- License: Yen Press (Print in English)
The manhwa adaptation was praised for its cinematic visuals, creative dungeon monsters, and the progressive transformation of Jin-Woo from weakest to god-tier.
🎥 Anime Adaptation
Produced by: A-1 Pictures
Airing Platform: Crunchyroll
Language Tracks: Japanese (original), English, Korean
Music Composer: Hiroyuki Sawano 🎵
Sung Jinwoo
📺 Seasons:
Season 1 – Solo Leveling
- Aired: Jan 6 – Mar 30, 2024
- Episodes: 13
- Director: Shunsuke Nakashige
- Highlights: Dungeon survival, Awakening, first summons
Season 2 – Arise From the Shadow
- Aired: Jan – Mar 29, 2025
- Episodes: 13
- Focus: Jin-Woo’s role as the Shadow Monarch, Major battles, Jeju island
Cha Hae-In
🧙♂️ Main Characters
| Character | Description | Voice Actor (JP) |
|---|---|---|
| Sung Jin-Woo | Weakest hunter turned Shadow Monarch | Taito Ban |
| Cha Hae-In | S-Rank hunter with keen senses | Reina Ueda |
| Yoo Jin-Ho | Jin-Woo’s loyal friend and tank | Genta Nakamura |
| Beru | Shadow Ant King with loyalty | Shin Furukawa |
| Go Gun-Hee | Head of the Korean Hunter Association | Banjo Ginga |
🌍 Global Impact & Fandom
Solo Leveling exploded into global fandoms thanks to:
- RPG mechanics + power fantasy
- Stunning visual evolution
- A relatable underdog arc
🌐 Popular Regions:
- 🇰🇷 Korea (Origin)
- 🇯🇵 Japan (Anime)
- 🇺🇸 USA (English translation & anime boom)
- 🇫🇷 France, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇭 Philippines (Huge fandom presence)
🎮 Game Adaptation
Solo Leveling: ARISE (Netmarble Game)
- Title: Solo Leveling: ARISE
- Developer: Netmarble
- Genre: Mobile & PC ARPG
- Release: 2024 (Beta)
🔍 Quick Facts
- 🔥 Over 14 billion views (webtoon + anime streams combined)
- 🖼️ Dedicated to DUBU, who passed away in July 2022
- 🏆 Awarded Best Fantasy Webtoon in multiple fan polls
- 🎧 Soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano (same composer as Attack on Titan)
📖 Where to Read & Watch
- Read the Manhwa: Tappytoon, Tapas
- Buy the Books (Print): Yen Press
- Watch the Anime: Crunchyroll
💬 Community Reactions
“Best anime of the year, hands down.”
“Jin-Woo is the GOAT of overpowered MCs.”
“Shadow army = peak concept.”
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